■"^P^Lp^-^UL. , "CcLu. „Cfl Lccn^jccc 



oUi4:. 



1-^jt- wonta. (^ ou <i£-£-cu£c irn *&*. o^tw^U ^ 



Tr, 



* 



wCLcr\£_, 








Book_ .__ 






TntC***. ®feuo d*&£> /!»m~T*Uf 



07 



The WORK OF A DECADE 

— IN THE — 



SCHOOLS OF MAINE 



& 




STATE OF MAINE 
EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT 



c /?06^ 



SEP31 iso/ 

o. or a, 



STATE OF MAINE. 
Educational Department. 



Copies of this document will be sent free 
)n application to 

W. W. STETSON, 
State Sufit. of Public Schools. 
Augusta, Maine. 



The Work of a Decade in the 
Schools of Maine 



The energies of the Department, during 
the past ten years, have been devoted 
principally to four distinct lines of work. 
Early in the present administration the 
effort was made to place before the people 
of the State in oral, written and pictorial 
forms the condition of the schools as they 
existed in 1895-6. The comments and 
exhibits given in the reports of 1895 in- 
cluded statements of studies pursued, 
methods used, mistakes made, results 
achieved and also criticisms and sugges- 
tions on all these items. This report also 
contained reproductions of photographs of 
school grounds, school building? nuthouses 
and schoolrooms. 

The work of the teachers and pupils and 
their attitude toward it were presented as 
they appeared to the State Superintendent 
when making his inspection of the schools. 
While no effort was made to conceal de- 
fects and deficiencies, yet all commendable 
features were given prominent mention and 
were outlined in detail, — the purpose being 
to present a true picture of the school in 
its surroundings and activities and to give 
estimates of the work done in the schools 
inspected. 



b THE WORK OK A DSCADB 

The following year the local superintend- 
ents were asked to give their opinions 
upon the items which had been commended 
or condemned by the State Superintendent. 
These questions asked for their judgment 
on the physical surroundings, the teaching 
force, the pupil body and the attitude of 
the churches, politicians and other citizens 
toward the school. Answers were 
under pledge of being held confidential by 
the Department. In no case did the 
average estimates, furnished by the super- 
intendents, fall below or exceed those made 
by the State Superintendent by five' per 
cent. In a majority of instances they 
varied less than one per cent. 

These returns were tabulated, com- 
mented upon and, after being printed in 
pamphlet form, distributed broadcast 
throughout the State. 

When this work was completed the De- 
partment undertook the preparation of doc- 
uments containing aids for teachers 
gestions for school officials and general in- 
formation for all citizens. 

Among the documents issued, having 
these purposes in view, are the courses of 
study for elementary and schools 

These pamphlets not only contain de- 
tailed statements as to the subjects to be 
studied and the branches that should he 
taught in each grade but (hey also include 



IN THE SCHOOLS OF MAINE 7 

full outlines of the devices and methods to 
be used in teaching each study. 

In addition to the outline courses and 
the details of methods there were given 
lists of books for teachers in each subject 
and also lists for pupils. 

The elementary course also included 
material for work in nature study, music 
and drawing, — the purpose being to make 
the pamphlet containing this course a text- 
book ori the subject matter studied. 

In 1897, a pamphlet, entitled "Sketches, 
Designs and Plans for School Buildings, 
School Grounds and Outhouses," was issued 
by the Department. This document con- 
tained not only descriptions of school sites, 
water supply and all the details con- 
nected with school grounds and buildings, 
but also included a large number of eleva- 
tions and floor plans for school buildings 
of one, two, three, four, six and eight 
room structures. 

Later, a pamphlet was issued going more 
into the details of improving school 
grounds and buildings. The enlarging of 
grounds, the locating of drives, paths and 
walks, the planting of forest areas, fruit 
and vegetable gardens, the preparing of 
lawns and location of playgrounds, the 
remodeling of exteriors, the decorating of 
interiors and the planting of flowers and 
shrubs and the cultivation of vegetables 
and fruits were fully discussed and many 
suggestions given. 



8 THE WORK OF A DECADE 

Pamphlets were also issued giving 
courses in the civil government of Maine 
and the United States and the history and 
geography of towns, counties, the State 
and Nation. 

A manual, in which the subjects dis- 
cussed in teachers' associations were out- 
lined in skeleton form, was issued for the 
use of teachers and officials of county 
conventions. This document is also of 
service to those desiring to prepare for 
examinations for State certificates. 

The pamphlet on " Words, reading and 
literature, " was prepared for teachers, but 
it has also been used in the secondary 
schools by pupils. 

Among the documents containing in- 
formation for the public might be men- 
tioned the following: "What the school 
should do for the child, " " Some gains, " 
"Waste in the administration of the 
schools, " " An experiment in child study," 
"The law for the better education of 
youth, " " A study of some school prob- 
lems, " " Union of towns for the purpose 
of providing expert superintendence, " 
"The school a9 it was, is and should be, " 
"A study of the schools of northeastern 
Maine, " " Study of the school system of 
Maine with regard to purpose, scope of 
instruction, organization, present con- 
dition and needs, " " History of the school 
system of Maine." 



IN THE SCHOOLS OF MAINE. 9 

Among the specific agencies that have 
been devised or improved for promoting 
the efficiency of the schools may be named 
the School Improvement League, the 
county teachers' associations, town teachers' 
meetings, teachers' summer schools and 
educational mass meetings. 

The School Leagues have improved hun- 
dreds of school yards and buildings and 
purchased thousands of volumes of books 
and an equal number of pictures. In not 
a few schools musical instruments have 
been provided and statuary now finds a 
place in many of our schoolrooms. Its 
best work, however, has not been found in 
enlarging and beautifying school grounds, 
adorning schoolrooms, supplying needed 
material and apparatus, but in persuading 
parents and citizens generally to learn 
what the school is, decide what it should 
be and assist in bringing it to its best 
estate. The value of the work of the 
League cannot be stated in words or es- 
timated in terms. The results are to 
endure and in its triumphs our schools are 
being signally blessed. 

The State examination of teachers has 
given a new dignity and added remun- 
eration to those engaged in teaching. It 
has eliminated many of the incompetents 
and persuaded not a few school officials to 
consider more carefully the fitness of can- 
didates before placing children under their 



10 THE vv OBK OF a DKCAi'i 

instruction. Tliese examinations have 
-wrought an improvement in our teaching 
force which no other agency could have 
produced. It is gratifying to know that 
there are more teachers in this State who 
hold State certificates than in any other 
state in the Union. 

The State Teachers' Association - 
to have entered upon a new lease of life 
and there are indications that it is to be a 
power for good in the future. There is 
promise that all of the educational forces 
of the State will soon unite in this organ- 
ization and, working together, accomplish 
greater results than have as yet been 
achieved. If the schools of Maine are to 
become all they should be, the collegi 
secondary school, the common school, 
school officials, parents and children must 
unite their efforts for their improvement. 

The county associations have increased 
their attendance to such an extent that it is 
almost impossible to rind an assembly room 
in which to hold the meetings. The pro- 
grams are largely made up of talks or 
papers by local speakers and the exercises 
are of a quality that reflect great credit 
upon those who are responsible for these 
meetings. No words of praise can be too 
strong in which to commend the efforts 
made to render tliese associations prolitable 
to the teachers. 

The town teachers' meetings are of 






IN THE SCHOOLS OF MAINE 11 

recent origin. The parents, school officials, 
teachers and children of several contiguous 
towns join in presenting exercises of 
unusual merit. It is believed the number 
of these meetings will be multiplied in the 
future. 

The summer schools for teachers have 
been successful from the start. The 
average attendance lias been about one 
thousand each year. In these schools the 
teachers have had an opportunity to listen 
to experts from other states on methods of 
instruction, school management and special 
discussions of particular subjects. In 
stimulating some of the teachers whose 
scholastic attainments were inadequate to 
attend academies, high or normal schools 
and in persuading others to take, or com- 
plete, college courses ; in interesting 
teachers in professional and general read- 
ing and in developing a love for their 
work, these schools have rendered a great 
service and should be continued. 

The latest movement has taken the form 
of a series of "Educational Mass Meet- 
ings." Thirty of these were held in as 
many different towns during the fall of 
1904. The aggregate attendance was 
13,800. The speakers were Gov. C. B. 
Aycock of North Carolina, Judge E. D. 
Winston, North Carolina, Dr. A. E. 
Winship of the New England Journal of 
Education of Boston, Dr. Henry Houck, 



12 THE WORK OF A DECADE 

Deputy State Superintendent of Schools of 
Pennsylvania and Prof. P. P. Claxton of the 
University of Tennessee and Superintendent 
of the Summer School of the South. 

No educational movement in this country 
has attracted more attention, or elicited 
more favorable comment. The results are 
most gratifying and it is believed they will 
be enduring. 

The speakers were not only entertaining 
and instructive, but were stimulating in the 
sense which makes it possible for their 
words to abide and bear fruit in a new 
interest in the school and an increased 
determination to make it civilization's most 
potent agency. It is impossible to repro- 
duce the words of commendation and 
gratitude that were expressed for the 
pleasure given and the help rendered. 
This event will mark a new date in our 
educational history. It is hoped that from 
this time forward our people will make a 
study of the school in all its phases and 
will do the things necessary to make it a 
means of grace to their children and hence 
a power for good in the community in 
which it is located. 

This review would be incomplete if 
mention were not made of the service 
which has been rendered by parents, pupils, 
school officials and teachers in improving 
the schools. The changes they have 
wrought constitute a revolution although 



IN THE SCHOOLS OF MAINE 16 

the process has been evolutionary and the 
results are seen in improved grounds and 
buildings and attractive schoolrooms. 

Every student of the schools is impressed 
by the changed attitude of our people as 
to what our schools shall be. Those who 
were hostile have either become supporters 
of the schools or are willing to learn the 
facts before criticizing them. Those who 
were- indifferent have become interested 
and are giving to the work their cordial 
support. Those who were friendly have 
become enthusiastic. A large number of 
our people are reading, thinking, studying 
and investigating the school problem. A 
large majority of them are doing some- 
thing each term to make them more 
efficient. 

These efforts should receive a large 
share of the credit for the better service 
our schools are giving the State. 

This review is given for the purpose of 
showing that there has been a plan and a 
purpose in what has been done. After 
careful consideration it was thought that 
before important changes could be wrought 
our people must know the conditions that 
surrounded and were found within our 
schools. Then it was felt that helps must 
be furnished which would assist in making 
bad things good and good things better. 
These suggestions were given in the form 
of documents and through the help of 



14 THE WORK OF A D» A IK 

organizations. The last of these agencies 
was the series of " rallies " which aroused 
and impressed our State as it was never 
stirred before. 

It is natural to inquire. " What next?*' 
The answer to this question is found in 
the booklet entitled " Standard Schools." 
It is hoped our people will examine the 
plan outlined in this document and that, 
after reading and studying the details, they 
will see fit to embody these suggestions in 
at least one of these schools in each 
countv. 


















' . 






•" V :&&* 






■ 



• 






?¥■£* 





; " 




, 


- 




;,-* - 


V/'V: **--V '- 




;'^.^-^V> 



• 







